Simple Thrills

I have to admit that one of the loves of my life is quite an unusual thing . . . a to-do list. There is just something thrilling to me about organizing my obligations onto paper and marking off my accomplishments as I go. Nothing is too great or small to go on a list of mine.

• Get car's oil changed.
• Find a better credit card.
• Learn Spanish before I’m 30.

This is all well and good until I’m in a season of life when I’m suppose to be resting from work and accomplishing tasks. No lists are required for resting. Resting should be about going with the flow, doing what you feel and in fact even nothing at all. But, I’ve never in my life been good at such things. I was the child who cried on national holidays because I couldn’t go to school. An extra day off totally threw off my routine and sent me into panic of what to do with the time. And I’ve carried such a sickness well into adulthood.

So this is why I am still making lists on my summer vacation. My friends laugh at me, but without them I seem to melt into the couch, feeling as if I’ve sunken and can’t get up. So, every week I pull out my to-do list notepad and plan the week with activities to keep me from thinking I have nothing to do. List items have included simple things like going to the bank, post office or even scrap booking. If it is on the list, I’ll find a way to do it even if it is something I normally dislike like housecleaning.

And while making lists for what some may call unimportant tasks, there have been some benefits to my insanity. When I was busy with school and a church job there were days I was rushing around like crazy that I no idea what it was like to be mentally present in the simple things of life.

I had forgotten how much I liked cooking. I had forgotten how nice it is when a friend calls you out of the blue. I had forgotten how wonderful it is to have lunch or dinner plans on a weekday.

Gratitude comes to life in me once again.

But, I don’t want to make my vacation life sound as rosy as some of your might percieve it to be. The grass does look greener on the other side. . .

There have been many moments this summer when I have been bored out my mind with my to-do list already complete hours before. I like doing meaningful work outside of grocery shopping. I like contact with people who can converse with me other than the 4 month old I’ve been babysitting a couple days a week. I like the thought of being in a work routine that doesn’t allow me to stay up as late as I want.

But, I know that this season will too pass. So, in the meantime I’ll keep making lists and see what outing I can enjoy tomorrow. . .